My Biggest Mistake Yet... The Road To Mastersmith (part4)

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[@WillStelterbladesmith]

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[@deplorablepiratecaptaingunberd]

Turn the blade into some fossil Damascus

[@MeriaDuck]

No, another victim of Better help. I actively unsubscribe from every channel with BH sponsor since a few weeks. Having to do that here hurts,.but I will.

[@Beamer1969]

The FTC found that BetterHelp had shared millions of customers' sensitive health information with advertisers such as Facebook, Snapchat, Criteo, and Pinterest. This went against the company's privacy promises. Take their money but DO NOT use the service.

[@r0nd0n39]

There's plenty of info about this sponsor and their practices. Even a modicum of due diligence would have prevented this.

[@Big_Un]

In case you haven't heard....This quote was taken from the FTC website: "The FTC says BetterHelp used a wide variety of tactics to share the health information of over 7 million consumers with platforms like Facebook, Snapchat, Criteo, and Pinterest for the purpose of advertising." Please do a better job of vetting the sponsors that you allow on your videos.

[@Cmarcotte4]

Knowing when to call it, is a skill unto itself. Many have not seen the edge till they are well past it. Fantastic work sir!

[@LittleGreyWolfForge]

I don’t have that at all. That’s why I love watching his videos.

[@andrewut7ya511]

Agreed, its hard to abandon a work in progress that you have put alot of effort into but at a certain point your effeort is better spent restarting or moving to a new project until your skills are sharper. I always tell myself that the guy with the most success in anything also has a tooooon of failures. Noone got good at anything without problems and failures.

[@ThatWorks]

Sorry that happened to you brother! Normally I'd try and encurage you to finish it out but with your mastersmith set I think it's important to feel like you mastered each piece!

[@MrNiccholas]

Maybe set it aside until after you finish your Mastersmith Set then pick it back up and try and see what you can make with it?

[@percyvile]

Definitely agree, finish this after the mastersmith set is finished

[@smacksteel708]

I disagree, toss that shit and make it perfect the next time

[@Milkthief]

This is something I don't see enough of from creative youtubers and is something that all crafters face. Actually seeing this made me feel a lot better cause this sort of thing happens to me all the time (even after making knives for over 10 years).

[@DustAndGraceASMR]

My husband was literally squirming in his seat when the dramatic music was going! We don't watch TV, instead we watch channels like you and Marling Baits. We've been consistently watching you since the start of your master smith quest (I recommended we watch you since my husband started blacksmithing and I used to watch Alec's channel when you were on it). I've gotta say God is being glorified through your channel especially in your attitude towards knowing when to quit and your demonstrations of patience, gentleness and peace when a project is going south. Thank you so much for continuing to post 🙏🏽

[@EPICNESS8991]

Will, not only are you an absolutely incredible craftsman, but even moreso a man of strong faith and pride in work. That is something everyone should be applauding you for. I personally can't wait to see the next piece of functional art you put out, and your ethos video! God bless you

[@patmehgroin]

Will is such an inspiration. The attention to detail and pride he puts into his work is what i strive for in my own. God has blessed my dude, and he is destin to be the greatest Bladesmith. If he isn't already.

[@sethbrandhagen3175]

Tough break - but great attitude and perspective. Keep up the great work and I can’t wait to follow the rest of your journey through the next few knives.

[@revilolavinruf]

As I'm getting started making kitchen knives I can fully understand that feeling. After spending hours and hours grinding chasing a small warp I ended up scraping the whole piece. I could only imagine the feeling being intensified by 4 years of planning. One thing I did notice is that after the pukey feeling went away I felt relief. This being because the silver lining is that you can do it even better and easier next time, and with much more confidence, making the whole venture so much more satisfying. After all, progress and success aren't the same thing, and progress means more than success.

[@nairolf8144]

Everything has been said in the comments, i'm impressed and inspired by the integrity. Well done Will.

[@rickbirch4090]

sorry to see this but also glad to see when someone knows when to call it quits, can't wait to see this revisited in the future.

[@dariusdarius9759]

Will, you are an inspiration to me and your craftsmanship is reaching higher levels day by day. I hope that this unfortunate event wont act as a setback to you, but as something to power your ambition. You made a smart choice with this knife but dont get discouraged and keep going because you are on the right path and heading towards something great.

[@Phroggy_burns]

Tough break brother. Love your work, enjoy your channel. Keep your head up. God has big plans for you.

[@Beamer1969]

After you finish your master knife set I would love to see a video on how to save this fail, but only when time is not an issue.

[@timcoombe7880]

Tough break Will. Don't forget, the man who never made a mistake, never made anything. Mistakes are lessons we all learn from. Onwards and upwards...

[@elikiskodesign]

What an incredible journey and creative trial. Your determination to see the 4 year vision through properly is truly inspiring.

[@cae2487]

Heartbreaking Will!! Its never fun investing so much time and effort into something that won't ever get to what you wanted. I look forward to when you get up the fortitude to try and tackle this build again in the future. Good luck with your 11 weeks i think you are capable enough to make it through this chapter.

[@ImTheWinningest]

It always sucks hard to throw away a lot of hours/money, but you made the right call. Better to start over and use what you learned to make it perfect, rather than continuing to make a smaller and smaller knife to get it acceptable.

[@deraldswain5516]

Hate that for you Will. Love your passion and the mentality you have behind your work.

[@Little_River_Forge]

You got this man. Don’t sweat it. Get this set banged out and have fun. Can’t wait to see that passed paper on your table in Atlanta 🎉❤

[@AlAmantea]

As devastating as it is, maturity is knowing when to stop and move on. Congratulations on the failure, Will. We all learn so much when we fail, that is never a useless endeavor. Falling down is the biggest part of learning to walk and to run. Don't throw it away, though. Keep it, and hang it on the wall, as a reminder of the lesson. You paid for it already. It is a graduation into your next chapter.

[@user-will_b.64]

I have been looking but can't find anyone that has attempted to make a folding knife with a caged ball bearing lock like the one in a spyderco Manix 2. I would like to see you attempt this in the future if you are up to it. (also I am wanting to try it myself but I have Minimal tools and no experience except for making some fixed blades from old saw blades so I would like to see someone with experience attempt it first before I go spending money on materials)

[@fireplusbirdfilms6517]

Ouch, that's a tough one. I'm sure you'll recover on your master bladesmith set.

[@Derrk94]

Do you think you could do a little instruction on finding the pivot points in the folder?

[@charlesreid2141]

So what are your recommendations for a great set of Amazon bought kitchen knives

[@ryanhight1076]

Right decision!

[@JoeVanGogh]

Please redo the same design that knifes is super cool!!!❤

[@randykuta5146]

I’m thinking that blade needs to take a symbolic tumble off of a pallet jack….😉 Seriously though…. So sorry this piece didn’t cooperate, but you will come back stronger!

[@crackerdan8010]

I said last week knife was jinxed scrap it and everyone went berserk. Thank you

[@lolh4x]

I feel like there's zero chance a knife with cutouts like that would survive the 90 degree bend test

[@robertr4193]

Man it sucks that it went so far south on you with the Bowie but sometimes you have to know when to call it if it's not going the way you want. Take a deep breath center yourself step back relax the try again. You will get it done I have no doubts about that.

[@constantinbarbu.]

best to let it go then to spiral down with it, BUT i think it could be a great charity auction piece , i'm sure someone would like to get it

[@EdOfTheNorth]

Not that I'm a master bladesmith or anything like that but you are aware that you can repair disfigurement in Damascus with simple electrolysis etching, right? That is something they do all the time in India to make mistakes disappear.

[@SergioPena20]

Removing a section out of the center of the knife was a design choice right? I can’t imagine removing the center of a knife and it still being practical.

[@curtisweller4138]

What are you going to do with that knife? I wants it!!!

[@AndyCallaway]

Are they Aussie banknotes on the wall behind you? 🤔

[@mrbill_oh_no]

So the name of this project??? Power hammer?

[@lw8882]

So many creators don't even photograph their failures. Will gives us the heartbreaking truth of working a long time on a project only for it to just not pan out. That's actually inspiring for me as someone who wants to buy some hand files and 1084 and learn to bevel some blades. Thanks for showing me that even the best creators I currently watch try new things and still go through the same trial and error process regardless of how long they've been doing it or the level of artistic and professional success they achieve. It does more to motivate me to get started than any amount of flawless show ready blades.

[@LittleGreyWolfForge]

Hey! Don’t buy cheap 1080. Trust me… no Amazon. It’ll break your heart.

[@lw8882]

@@LittleGreyWolfForge I was going to get my steel from a reputable seller in Australia. Thanks for looking out for a fellow maker though!

[@LittleGreyWolfForge]

@@lw8882 alright good! Lol I got scared… the Amazon stuff is overpriced for what it is, it has inclusions and cracks and doesn’t forge well, so if you do stock removal it’s not annealed either and will break your files.

[@LittleGreyWolfForge]

@@lw8882 also, you should watch tyrell knifeworks video on making an angle guide for your files. He’s a great maker and has some great stuff.

[@rayhosking3927]

Will your skill is only surpassed by your integrity, you are an inspiration to all who watch the channel. You will complete all your knives in the alloted time and become a master bladesmith.

[@misinformationwithrandy]

This is the character you need. Thanks for sharing this level of craftsmanship.

[@savagedeals472]

Sorry to see this piece not workout. So looking forward to the continuation of your master knives and the revisit of this design in the future.

[@chacehawkins4708]

I feel like crying. You have never sounded so sad, not even when the hammer fell over. Thank you for showing us that the road to Master Smith, or master ANYTHING is a tough and difficult road

[@Merennulli]

Oh wow. Sorry to see that happen. I'm glad you care about your work enough to be able to make the choice you did, but that's definitely painful.

[@prophez23]

Man I really felt your pain with this one. My heartbreak in my knife carrier wasn't as big of a loss as yours but I put a solid weeks work into building a huge Bowie that had over 19 inches total of vine and thorn file work and looked absolutely stunning and I was so proud of myself and then I heat treated it and I watched it banana like nothing I'd ever saw before to the point where I knew there wasn't a chance of saving it outside of divine intervention. It kicked me so hard in the gut that I couldn't go into my shop for a month. I still have it hammered into the wood beam in my shop as a reminder that some days you win and some days you're going fall flat on your face. But it's nothing but a thing and you dust yourself off and get back on the horse and put it all behind you. But dang man it still hurts seeing all that work go down the drain. Better luck next time bud.

[@MattKitten]

"My biggest mistake yet" Pssshhh, obviously SOMEBODY forgot about a power hammer that got tipped on its side, lol

[@dakotareid1566]

Don’t take a sponsorship from better help

[@henniebasson515]

When I was a young man and very "down" at one stage, my roommate said to me: " Haai - oorlog is erger!" In English: "Hey - war is worse!" I am sure you will get over it and make an even better knife next time. I would suggest that you "finish" that one later and keep it in your shop, letting visitors guess: "What is the mistake?" Kind regards.

[@FoldingIdeas]

Dude, that hurt, I’m so sorry

[@Dave_0993_I]

You know, I think everything on this piece was good except the peircing threw it/you off. I bet you could build a perfect knife doing everything the same except the peircing - - - or maybe get the whole knife formed and add a peircing right before heat treat. You have shown wisdom in discarding this project if you won't be happy with it. I have a little knife laying here finished that I don't love because it was screwed up and I finished it anyway - BUT it's not for a judgement like yours, it's just for me, so it's OK.

[@bryanduchane2371]

Sorry this blade didn't make your cut!!

[@trevor5379]

STOP SHILLING BETTER HELP! THEY'RE SUPER SCUMMY!

[@macedindu829]

Heartbreaking, but a mature decision. No sense in throwing good after bad. If it's too far out from your initial plan, you just have to cut your losses. Kudos for having the stones to do it.

[@robertjames8220]

You're going to make a fantastic mastersmith.

[@zex69]

The road to master bladesmith continues ❤

[@lukemillermakes]

Condolences and respect. I think it would be cool to see this piece recycled later down the road--after you've created what you intended and aren't pushing for a time goal. I'm imagining a damascus turkey carving kitchen knife with that crazy blade piercing. It's easy to guess from this side that there's plenty of material for a (vastly different) knife still in there. Or send it to a buddy to see what they can make of it. That would also be fun.

[@DBCraftWorld]

Hello Will, It's a beautiful design and I hope someday you will make the knife that meet all your expectations. In this one I agree- the perfection is obligatory... I'm just wondering: You've became JS 2 years ago, and if I'm not mistaken, Journeyman smith can attend to MS test after 5 years. Are there some kind workshops/courses that can reduce this 5 year period? Regards, David

[@ChileExpatFamily]

We learn from our mistakes. No worries. You are man enough to recognize your limitations. Jim in Chile

[@utahknivesandgearnick7647]

Keep your head up buddy!!! Excited to see how you make a new version👊🏼

[@ExplosiveDisregard]

Not going right back in on the same project to preserve the magic is pretty admirable. I know I have burned out on an idea trying to make it right before.

[@TuckerDale89]

I’ll take the Bowie knife if you’re just gonna chuck it in the trash.

[@housevollmer9106]

I’m sure you’ve heard of Edmond Davidson, he specializes in these full integral knives, he may have some tricks...

[@justinbanks2380]

4:02 that red dycem (at least on camera) looks like realistic blood on the knife. Could be useful for Halloween props (if it looks real in person and not just in camera). But also, everytime I see the remnants of it in your videos when showing a piece, I'm scared you knicked or cut yourself

[@tiberiusvonwolf5520]

Ha! Nice, bouy or bowie...if you're normal, my thoughts everytime someone says "bouy" knife

[@davidcole217]

Sorry Will, hang in there buddy. I’m sure you will make it through your Masters Certification, but don’t kill yourself in the process.

[@paulbrach5778]

It’s a fantastic design, Will. I look forward to you taking the lessons learned from this one and applying them to future pieces. See you in June 👍

[@lady_draguliana784]

I've always heard that you Brute De Forge Mono-steel, and Grind to Shape anything Pattern Welded... 🤷

[@GoldmansGarage]

Just want to say I’m sorry this didn’t work out. It will hopefully be a good learning experience and the next time you’ll nail it!

[@FCWW87]

Crazy mature decision, to abandon the project even though it was likely salvageable, but it wouldn’t have met your standards. Just amazing my guy, cheers. Go crush the slip joint project, this time slow down on the grind;)

[@junglebiker2363]

Sorry, Will! I'm sure Take 2 will be even better. Love your videos. After you're done with your MS set, you should give an update on your truck, whatever happened to that thing?

[@No_Worries83]

Why do I continue watching this channel? 🤦‍♂️ You really need to start completing your projects. I got it, you couldn’t salvage this one, but it’s more about getting the job done right the first time. When you were on Alec’s channel, I dreaded watching you because you never actually completed any projects.

[@bradclifton5248]

Yeah. Fixing mistakes is a skill in itself. Seeking to upcycle. Try to make something from what you have laboured so hard on. Maybe one of the small knives

[@pgilmore386]

Bummer, Will! Good for you for having the constitution to walk away! I think that would be the hardest choice

[@hulkthedane7542]

Good choice. Returning to it some day will be exciting! As will seeing your next project. Be a Master 👍👍

[@davidbarnes7617]

Respect. I've always enjoyed your content, but this one hit hard, and I appreciate you showing it, warts and all.

[@Alex_whatever]

Will, Amazing Blacksmith, not so amazing machinist. Making your master blade smith title hang on your machining skill seems like something to avoid. ;-)

[@Zogg1281]

That's a really tough call to make, but I know that you guys need to work too crazy high standards. As a craftsman myself, I also know that you want your personal standards to be even higher and that even if the knife was a pass from the judges, you wouldn't be happy. I am really looking forward to seeing your next creations as well as seeing a revisit to this project in the future. I'll be praying that you get the rest of your knives built with no horrible moments 😊👍👍👍👍👍

[@Donorcyclist]

I’m gutted for you, Will. But you’re going to be back on your feet with knives you’ll be proud to submit! Bang on!

[@ericmitchell985]

Man, that was absolutely freaking heartbreaking to watch. But, as all the other comments are saying, you're a phenomenal smith, and I'm sure the next time you revisit this, it'll be absolutely breathtaking.

[@tommyw68]

Hell, if youre going to toss it, I'll take it and salvage something from it! Please!

[@mathieuangevin8779]

Quel dommage ! Pour ma part je suis amateur et je suis sûr que j'aurai trouvé une solution du style couler du bronze dans le trou, ainsi récupéré de la solidité pour pouvoir affiner la lame 😅 What a pity ! For my part, I am an amateur and I am sure that I would have found a solution like pouring bronze into the hole, thus recovering solidity to be able to refine the blade 😅 Thank man for your chanel I hope you win

[@dystopianlucidity4448]

Sorry this happened, BUT you’ve already learned the lesson of when to let go of a project. And I’d argue that is a sign of a master.

[@Za11oy]

I'm sure it's quite the blow that it didn't quite work out, and it'll surely be a slog to get it done again through the entire process in the remaining 11 weeks you have. But, I'm confident you can make it happen. As others have said, good idea to switch it up to one of the other blades and not just chase after it in the wrong mindset. I wish you luck, and may you remain strong in the adversity! Courage Will, you'll get that Mastersmith acknowledgement yet!

[@RanouttaTalent]

Dude. If you've never made stuff for a living, you don't know this feeling, but it sucks

[@jd.prestage]

Hang in there, Will. You're a very talented "young" man. And God is with you!

[@vandelftcrafts2958]

Betterhelp will have some calls from Will this time... heart breaking to have to put down such a nice project. Looking foward too see the next attempt on this build!

[@TheSilent333]

Oh man that's heartbreaking --- that design is something really special! I hope to see this knife fully realized one day. I have no doubt you're up to the challenges ahead of you :)

[@MarcoTedaldi]

Still shilling for betterhelp? I get that you need the money but you're putting the mental health of the people that trust in you in fanger here. This just makes me sad...😢 You're showing such a huge amount of integrity in your work. It's admirable! So why throw that all out the window when it's about the sponsor?😮

[@Magnum_Express]

Just an idea. Don't throw that knife out yet. Finish it, best you can and sell it. Even if you have to put a disclaimer that it's blemished or something. I'm sure there's plenty of us out there that would love a custom knife, regardless if you or any other artist wouldn't consider it your best work. There has to be a market for "rejected knives".

[@Torta--is--PLUR]

Machining a blade is not blacksmithing or forging. That was the easy way out. Also $7,000 for that one fucking joke...that's a $1000 knife at best

[@d.mushroomhunter3528]

I've been making a few nights out of leaf springs and such.. I was wondering if anybody knew where I might be able to get some heat treated Damascus steel. From a reliable source 4 stock removal

[@elimurphy6212]

Ever thought ab a canister damascus billet made with water jet cut geometric shapes or some other type of patter maybe like a fish or animal head. Essentially a 1084 water cut shape inserted into the opposing 15n20 cavity and weld it in a canister with plundered steel and maybe flux and get it hot af, like white critical? I remembered seeing an expert do something similar with dinosaurs, maybe just a modern interpretation.

[@513coneyslinger]

My guy, when is the last time you slept? Your either sick or haven’t had nearly enough sleep. I’m editing this after finishing the vid. I’m sorry. That knife woulda been insane. I really hope you try to make again someday.

[@wekkimeif7720]

I thought Mastersmith would forge the whole blade during forging, not add like extra tang by welding later on? But I must have been mistaken.

[@BadForgeWeld]

Homeboy throwing away a knives better than any knife I’ve ever owned, probably.

[@ulrichmachtle4864]

Wernher v. Braun was asked once if exploding rockets would frustrate him, and he replied, Why? We learned a lot again and we gathered data...

[@kniffin719]

Sad for you. I was wondering if you would scrap it with the other issues you had like having the voids and cracks. I imagine that's incredibly difficult but thanks for sharing your difficulties on here as well as your successes.

[@saywhaatnow]

Massive respect for keeping your personal standards high. I'm sure it's insanely tough to lay this aside but it's what will make you a great master bladesmith.

[@Variable-2-actual]

5:24 "Nothing bad is gonna happen for sure." Says the guy who thinks he can move a power hammer on a pallet jack.

[@martinm3474]

Just concerned, have you been working with electricity? Your hair is a little wild. My Wife had hair much like that after kneeling in wet ground while checking the connections in the base of a yard light. I was impressed with the burnt notch in the knife blade she had in her hand. May be as an electrician you are a good Blacksmith. Just saying a good Blacksmith.

[@sudokujunkie4586]

I am curious why you don't use a jig for sanding. Especially with such an unusual knife.